Coal sifter and shovel



A. H. KNAPP. Coal Sieve, Shovel and Tongs.

Patented Feb. 26,1861.

Q when.

UNITEDSTATES FAQ-TENT OFFICE.

A. I-IAYDN KNAPP, OF NEVTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND GEO. TV. TISDALE, OF VVALPOLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

COAL SIFTER AND SHOVEL.

To all whom it mag concern:

. Be it known that I, A. HAYDN KNAPP, of Newton Center, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Utensil which May Be Used to Serve the Several Purposes of a Coal Sifter, Shovel or Fork, and Tongs;

and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

Figure l is a top View of the united uten sil, showing it as adapted more particularly to its use as tongs; Fig. 2, a side View thereof, exhibiting it both closed and opened; Fig. 3, a side view of one of the two parts composing the entire utensil, separated from the other; Fig. 4:, a side view of the other part, separate, which may be used thus alone, either as a shovel, or fork, or as a coal-sifter.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

The principal part A, (shown separately in Fig. 4,) has two or three times as many tines, or prongs, a, a, as the other part B, (shown separately in Fig. 3,) so that it may hold sufficient of cinders for sifting, or of any article, or substance, to be handled conveniently at once. The tines are also curved very considerably, so as to scoop or take up substances easily and conveniently; and the middle tines are curved much more than the outer ones, so that the whole may contain and hold the articles, or substances, well. The smaller part B, also has its tines b, b, considerably curved, the inner ones more than the outer ones; and it may be used separately, to handle smaller articles, in the manner of a simple fork.

Both the parts have the tines, or prongs, slightly diverging from shank to extremity, and, in order to effect this, have these prongs of different depths, in different parts, the middle or lowest portion being deepest, as represented; so that particles of coal, or other substances, may not get lodged fast therein.

The tines and shank of each part A, B, may be conveniently and cheaply made of malleable cast-iron, in one piece; and they may have wooden handles 0, (Z, respectively, in the ordinary manner, to handle them by, when heated, as well as when cold.

The larger part A, maybe used separately,

either as a shovel, or coal-Sifter. And the part B, may also be used separately, as a small shovel, or fork.

Both parts may likewise be used together, yet still disunited; as, for instance, in taking the partially consumed coal from a stove, or grate, after the fire has gone out; (the more special object of the utensil being to handle coal in the various ways necessary, in domestic economy;) by taking one part A, in one hand, and the other part B, in the other hand, the pieces of coal lying at the surface may be readily lifted out, by grasping them with the two parts together. Then the cinders below are readily scooped out, and sifted if desired, by the larger part A; while the smaller part B, may be still useful in assisting to place the articles, or substances, upon the larger part. Then the two parts are readily hinged together, to be used as tongs, &c., by the following construction and arrangement,The contiguous sides of the shanks of the parts, as they are placed in their proper relative positions, (as seen in Figs. 1, and 2,) are notched or cut away, as shown at e, in order to bring one part centrally over the other. Projecting from the notched face of one part, (generally the larger part A,) is a pivot f, cast or otherwise firmly fixed thereon. This pivot terminates in a flange, or head, which is broader in one directions, as from h, 250 7b, in Figs. 2, and 4,

than in the direction at right-angles thereto.

Through a corresponding portion of the other part B, is formed an aperture 9, just or barely large enough to admit the head of the pivot f. But the greatest breadth of this aperture, from 2', to 2', (Figs. 2, and 3,) is in such a direction that, in order that the corresponding widening h, h, of the pivothead may enter therein, the two parts are required to be spread apart nearly or quite as far as they are capable of being much beyond the ordinary separation required in using the utensil; the extent of which latter separation may be indicated by the red lines in Fig. 2. Thus, while the parts are readily hinged, or pivoted, together, and again as readily separated, they remain as securely hinged together, for use thus, as if their hinging were permanent.

The utility and convenience of the article are apparent at a glance. Being quite simple and cheap, it combines, in one instrument, the capabilities of two or three useful and almost indispensable utensils as indicated stances between them, substantially as herein above. i specified.

What I claim as my invention and desire The above specification of my improved to secure by Letters Patent, as a new article I combined coal sifter, shovel and tongs, sub- 15 5 of manufacture, is scribed to by me this 24th day of August,

The two parts A, and B, provide% with the 1860. pivot f and aperture 9 constructe substantially ais set forth, for readily hinging and HAYDN KNAPP' unhinging, in combination with the ar- Vitnesses:

THOMAS LEWIS,

10 rangement and construction of the tines or BYRON L. RICHARDSON. r

prongs so as to prevent the clogging of sub- 

